At Wildernest, we design and build treehouses, sculptures, play structures, and nests that enhance our relationship with the natural world. Driven by a commitment to innovation, growth, and integrity, we design spaces that blend artistic expression with functional and sustainable solutions. We favor biomimicry in our designs, and prioritize using natural, & recycled materials.
The environments we build encourage play, creativity, active participation as well as relaxation. Our design process is collaborative, aiming to awaken the young-at-heart in all of us. We are dedicated to crafting unique, meaningful spaces that celebrate the beauty of the natural world and support lasting connections within the community.
Isa Avellan
Artist and creative builder with a background in film. Isa takes interest in architectural forms for the influences they have on how we relate to our community and natural environment. What drives Isa’s work is the importance to coexist in harmony with nature, come back to the present moment, and make time to share space and play.
Isa is familiar with a variety of building techniques, materials and artistic visual expression for the wide range of work they have been a part of over the last 10 years. In 2010 Isa Founded a photo and film production company called Selva Sagrada which continues to capture live performances, documentaries, portraits and music videos. In 2013 Isa worked for a sustainable architecture firm called Earthship, which builds off-the-grid housing with local natural and recycled materials including: tires, glass, plastic, cardboard and even trash. Shortly after, Isa studied bamboo building techniques in Bali, Indonesia and went on to getting certified in permaculture design at the KulKul Farm.
Learning to observe and utilize the regenerative patterns and resilient features of natural ecosystems became the inspiration behind Isa’s designs and desire to build in the trees. Since then, Isa has worked on many natural building architectural projects for clients, and Eco-villages all over the map. The most recent years Isa has worked with high-end woodworking furniture designer Alexis Moran and fabrication shop and experiential storytelling creative agency, One Hat One Hand in San Francisco, California. A few summers ago Isa took on a job with the Non-profit, North West Wilderness Preserve , care-taking a remote hot springs in the cascades of Washington state where they dreamt up the ideas behind Wildernest Design.
Benjamin Turner
Designer and creative builder with an interest in interactive habitats and climbing structures inspired by nature. He draws from his experience as a dancer to understand ways that a physical space can encourage play, movement, and spatial exploration - as well as imaginative play - for both children and adults. Sometimes in a wilderness scenario: less is more, letting the natural environment speak for itself.
Benjamin is familiar with a wide range of building techniques and materials, including: rustic woodworking, finish carpentry, metal fabrication, acrylics, laser-cutting and CNC machining, and finishing. Over 10 years working as a designer and project manager at One Hat One Hand in San Francisco has given him far-reaching experience managing custom architectural installations for clients like Google, Facebook, Apple, Yahoo, SFO International Airport, Lucasfilms, NBC, Youtube, Twitter, OutsideLands, Treasure Island Music Festival, and many others
He has a B.A. in Playground Design for Adults from Hampshire College, which has since been applied through various sculptural and interactive art installations along the west coast.
Ale De Denghy
Born and raised in the vibrant city of Caracas, Alejandro grew up climbing mango trees, where his love for nature and heights first blossomed. From a young age, Alejandro has been passionate about building spaces that harmonize with their surroundings; and if those spaces happen to be perched high up in the trees, even better.
With nearly six years of hands-on experience constructing treehouses, Alejandro has collaborated with some of the leading companies in the industry, learning the art and science of building among the branches. Three years ago, he joined the Wildernest Design team, where he now channels his expertise into creating immersive, sustainable treehouse experiences that connect people with nature.
Currently, Alejandro is also pursuing studies at the Bamboo University in Bali, Indonesia, expanding his knowledge of natural materials and innovative design. Whether suspended from the trees rigging new structures or daydreaming about the next wild idea, Alejandro is always inspired by nature’s beauty—and determined to build spaces that bring people closer to it.
